Israeli fighter-bombers flew over southern Lebanon and its border with Syria at low altitude on Wednesday, police sources said.

Four jets repeatedly flew over the southern sector of the Bekaa Valley, which had been evacuated by Israeli troops in May after a 22-year occupation, they said.

The fighter-bombers also buzzed areas further north, where Syrian military intelligence troops are deployed, the sources said.

Three planes also flew over the southern Lebanese port city of Tyre, around 10 kilometers (six miles) from the Lebanon-Israel border.

Israel's air force has stepped up flights over Lebanon since October 7, when Hizbollah Shiite Muslim guerrillas captured three Israeli soldiers in the disputed Shebaa Farms occupied by Israel since 1967.

Wednesday's flights came one day after five artillery shells fired by Israeli troops inside Shebaa fell near the Bestra hill within the limits of the Kfar Shuba village in south Lebanon, police said.

The flights also coincided with celebrations in Lebanon of the first day of the Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Lebanon has repeatedly complained to the United Nations over continued Israeli air force violations of Lebanese airspace.

Israel violated Lebanese airspace 123 times in the one month after the soldiers were snatched, according to UN figures -- RASHAYA (AFP)